Moving Objects Without Restrictions

QUESTION

I've come across a number of situations where I would like to move an object such as furniture, a decorative accessory, or a door or window to a new location but can't because other objects are in the way. How can I avoid this?

ANSWER

Many objects can be moved from one location to another without restrictions by holding down the Ctrl key on your keyboard, or the Command key if you are working on a Mac computer.

Planning interior spaces can be done more efficiently when furniture, appliances and cabinets can be moved around freely.

To move a free-standing object through other objects

Click once on an object such as a piece of furniture, a cabinet, or an appliance to select it and then release the mouse, leaving the selected item highlighted.

Hold down the Ctrl/Command key on your keyboard and place your cursor over the Move edit handle at the center of the selected object.

Click and drag the object to a new location.

Notice that when you begin by pressing the Ctrl/Command key, you are able to move furniture and cabinets in any direction - as well as through other objects.

You can move multiple objects in this manner by following these steps:

Click on an accessory object to select it, then press the Shift key on your keyboard.

With the Shift key selected, click additional objects to add them to the selection group.

When the selection group is complete, release your mouse button and the Shift key.

Now, press the Ctrl/Command key and move the entire selection set using the Move edit handle at the center of the group.

Kitchen accessories and other decorative items can be arranged inside glass-door cabinetry, in storage furniture such as hutches, or on shelves.

To arrange accessories on shelves, furniture, or in cabinets

Begin by placing some accessories in floor plan view. For now, choose an empty space near the cabinetry, shelves or furniture where they will finally be arranged.

Click on an object to select it and then release the mouse, leaving the selected item highlighted. You can also Shift+select a group of objects.

Hold down the Ctrl/Command key down on your keyboard and place your cursor over the Move edit handle at the center of the selected object.

Click and drag the object into the same space as the cabinet, furniture or shelves.

Select 3D> Create Camera View> Elevation view that shows your accessories and the furniture that they will be placed in.

In the Elevation view, move each object to the desired height, using the steps described in #2-6, above.

These positions of these items can also be adjusted left to right in this view.

Depending on the type of furniture that the objects are placed in or on, you may find it necessary to raise the heights above the floor of some objects -- either in a Elevation view or in the objects' specification dialogs -- before moving them into the furniture's space.

Items such as plates and bowls, books or pillows can also be stacked on top of one another to create attractive arrangements.

To stack items such as books, plates or pillows

From the Library Browser, place pillows on chairs and couches, and then position them using the Ctrl/Command key so that they appear to rest against one another.

Stack books, bowls, plates or other objects on top of one another.

First, adjust the heights of the objects as needed in a Elevation view; then use the Ctrl/Command key to move them on top of one another.

In typical situations, windows are set in from exterior wall corners to allow room for structural framing as well as for the casing, or trim molding. Occasionally, though, windows are placed all the way in the corner.

To move a window into an exterior corner

In either floor plan or a 3D view, click on the window you want to move to select it, and release the mouse, leaving the selected item highlighted.

Now press and hold the Ctrl/Command key on the keyboard.

While holding the Ctrl/Command key down on the keyboard, use the mouse to click the Move handle at the center of the window and drag it toward the corner.

Repeat this process with the other window to create a symmetrical, mulled corner window unit.

Placing windows in a corner overrides the placement of wall studs that may be structurally important to the final design. For actual construction, special engineering may be necessary.